Zack defends his dissertation to obtain his doctorate and asks help from a colleague. Meanwhile, Booth and Brennan are called to the scene where a man's body was found gutted, burned and hung like a scarecrow on the roof of a hotel that housed Federal witnesses. Booth determines the victim was a snitch working in an organized crime syndicate. Brennan's brother, Russ, informs her of a phone call he received from their father, warning him they are both in danger. Soon after, a priest contacts Brennan telling her that her father insists she and Booth drop their case. They determine the body found was actually an ex-FBI agent, tracking Russ to kill him — hence explaining the warning from Brennan's father. With the help of Angela, Booth and the team uncover a decades-old cover-up that could potentially ruin his career if he decides to continue with the investigation.